S.A. to probe mine fire

Press, 19 September 1986, Page 6

S.A. to probe mine fire

NZPA-ReuterJohannes-burg South Africa has ordered a judicial inquiry into why deadly fumes spewed through a mine shaft and killed at least 177 workers in the worst gold mine disaster in its history. Rescue teams yesterday continued a forlorn search for seven workers still missing after the disaster. But Jacobus Olivier, manager of the Kinross mine, in the eastern Transvaal, said, “We are not optimistic of finding any more survivors.” The toxic fumes had come from a blaze that set fire to a substance used to spray the walls of the mine to prevent corrosion. “Nobody would have died if it had not been for the toxic substances. Noone was killed by the fire. "At this stage I can not say whether there was any negligence involved,” he said. The black general secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, said it was “a terrible disaster, which could have been avoided.” Survivors said a welding accident had caused an oxygen cylinder to explode, setting off the fire. The mine recently had its safety rating downgraded from five to three stars, but Mr Olivier said, “We do not put production before safety.” The Chamber of Mines president, Mr E. P. Gush, said, "Once the full details of how a tragedy of this scale occurred are known, the industry will move rapidly to take steps to

prevent any possible recurrence.” The black miners’ union cites two main safety problems: first, poorly trained blacks are performing work reserved by law for white miners, resulting in diminished safety controls. Second: Production bonuses paid to white miners encourage them to exert pressure on black miners to boost production at the expense of safety. The chamber acknowledges that some blacks are doing white miners’ blasting jobs, but that that does not diminish safety. The chamber also says bonuses are affected by lost production, so supervisors are careful to avoid dangers that could lead to accidents. • The governing National Party has won an important by-election, warding off an attempt by apartheid radicals to increase support among the dominant white minority. National retained control in the Kliprivier constituency, in Natal, with a majority of 3000, down from the 4000 it polled in 1981. Its opponent, the Herstigte Nasionale Party, which opposes any compromises with the black majority, doubled its support in the country seat. • Japan has asked South Africa’s Education Minister to call off a scheduled visit to Japan next month in a protest against apartheid. Foreign Ministry officials said the request for Mr Frederik de Klerk to cancel his trip was made through the South African Consulate-General in Tokyo.